Some New Art-ing

 "Clarity"

Pencil/Watercolor

Mike D. burke

"Eros"

Pencil/Ink/Watercolor

Mike D.Burke

Hotel Transylvania Concept Art

I know that these concept art sheets from HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA are already all over the internet but I just wanted to share them here in case anyone missed them. I love these all, they are such an inspiration!

 

 

 

 

Every Damn Day

There is an old maxim that goes behind the philosophy of any art form and that is important for any one trying to do anything in life really. That is the old adage; practice, practice, practice. Not that I am anywhere in life as it is right now but I know this one all too well. It is important to make sure that everyday you do something toward your art form (writing, illustration, photography, acting, etc.,) in order to actually further yourself.

You can all you want to, do one thing of your art and then try to promote the Hell out of it as you can, and then if you get somewhere with that awesome, but more often then not I have learned myself from doing such a thing that you end up just being disappointed. Instead of focusing on promoting one thing and putting all of your energy into that (which can work of course), I would say that while your putting the right amount of energy into it you also keep yourself moving and working on your next project and just plain old doing little exercises to keep your skills tight and ever evolving.

The mass amount of artists out there (in any form or shape) is amazing and great, especially now in this age of digital media and social media. It is a wonderful thing that there are so many different outlets out there for anyone to try out to get their story and their art out in the world. The world is diverse and huge and everyone has something to say.

This does however also make it harder for everyone to discern what artist is actually worth the time of any major company right now. Which ones are truly ready for their shot.

None the less it is great that so many people are waking up everyday now and focusing their energy on creating art.

The bottom line is that everyday you must do something to better your art and yourself! Something small to the start of something huge! Keep your goals in mind at all time!

Finding the time

Lately I've been finding a better way to use my time wisely. Since my mind is always so concentrated on so many different projects at a time it helps me now that I carry around this little grey notebook. I've been able to draw, write and read more efficiently. It's like finally my brain always has a place to put the ideas that flee across it in the passing hours. Because usually my mind is bouncing so much between all the thinks I want to do I often lose track of what it was I was thinking at from one moment to the next. 

I've been able to write down the scenes I'm thinking about for my novel every time I think of them. In able to sketch out quick ideas for my comic or for my random illustrations. It's great! Try it out. 

WIPs of "Hipster Skull Girlz 1"

Spot Illustration

Here is a spot illustration for my upcoming graphic novel. In a later post I shall describe the process I took in creating this and most of my pieces along with pictures. 

Freelance work

Once again folks I am looking for some extra freelance work! Children's book illustrations; logo design, cover and interior book illustration, portraits, etc., pilot scripts, web-isodes, sketch comedy shorts, short stories, blog entries, etc,. 

Anything!! You name the price!! 

Above are some samples of my work, check them out! 

Submitting to Walt Disney Animation Studios

Just the basics:

1. Demo reel/Portfolio
2. Resume and Cover Letter
3. Breakdown List

Again, these are just the basics for things that are more information heavy I suggest visiting Walt Disney Animation Studio's website. Great luck to all!! Lets achieve some dreams!!
There is a multitude of different ways to submit all this, again I suggest going straight to the website to learn more. This is just meant as a quick list of things you need for absolute.

Happy Holiday Illustrations

Christmas is coming! Soon all shall be merry and cheery and white! So naturally the season to gifts that are straight from the heart is upon is all! I have decided to give certain members of my family who live in a far off land illustrations to commemorate my feelings and theirs as well toward certain things.

The main illustration is for my step-mom/whole family. You see, recently their dog had to be put down because of medical complications. We all took it hard of course but my step mother seemed to most of all. My father and I thought it would be a terrific idea to do a sort of portrait of our beloved, Buddy.

Here I share with you the pencils of the Buddy illustration I call, "Saint Buddy". Also some shots of the other ones as well. I plan on doing individual blogs on each so look forward to those! And shhhh don't tell my family this is on my blog! Happy Holidays! Cheers!

Architectual Illustration Idea

These that you see before you are two inspirational architectural designs for rooms. Why you ask? I have recently been inspired to create design concepts like this of a childhood friend of mines living room from when I was young. I shall be using these two design concepts as a sort of layout for how I will tackle this illustration.

I'm doing this illustration as sort of an ode to my own memory of a happy time in my life. A time when it seemed like possibilities were endless for us all, especially myself with my art. I realize I still have a shit ton of growth to do as an artist and luckily I still have lots of time! But I do need to start being more disciplined with all of my talents (art, writing and acting).

Hopefully I will take some good process shots of this whole procedure along the way. I will try, occasionally I mean to do this but then end up going full blown out and finishing the whole thing that night without taking a break. We'll see kids! Stay tuned!

Hey There

Hey there! Been about a minute eh? I'm back now, so sorry for not posting for so long. The thing is I haven't even been that busy haha. But I did get my first freelance gig recently as a writer for a production company writing essentially a pilot script for them for a dramatic series! Crazy right? Usually I only write comedy and comic scripts so this was a change. This led me to basically start researching and watching new shows near the subject matter that I'm writing which has helped significantly. I'm also enjoying taking a look back at the great Robert Mckee book, "Story". It's truly every screenwriter and writer in generals best friend!

Halfway through the big pilot as well which is great, I'm at Act II which is wonderful and meaty. SO much is happening it's crazy! I try to keep organized and really focus on my climaxes, scene drivers, character values and the charges of a scene in order to really make in general every scene a story event. I'm at the first draft stage which is essentially the rough so lots of just going forward and not so much looking back right now! It's fun working with different subject matter it really steps me outside my own comfort zone which is great for any artist. Currently finished the first issue of the graphic novel I'm writing recently as well which is good news! Just have to type it up and start the art process of it very soon! Times are tough however and I find myself looking for multiple revenue streams out there! I always visit specific search engines for this research like: www.google.com for all my financial and career and money saving tips and also: www.yahoo.com for their finance section. Mostly the personal finance section. I have to admit I can't get enough of these sites helpful tips! I do from time to time enjoy www.lifehacker.com and www.about.com as well for different needs of mine!

Glad to be blogging again! Till hoepefully soon!

Art

Blogging here from Destiny USA in Syracuse, NY. Thinking of art, my art specifically. I just got new business cards recently but finding who to give them to is tough. I did get some new comics though from Play the Game Read the Story or vice versa.

I've come to realize through talks with past teachers and the famous Rich Talarico, and Tony Daniel that I need to just work on stuff and create a body of work! So that u actually have work to show interested and important parties. Instead of my usual mindframe of get noticed first do work later. That's an important realization I've made. It's impacting my thought process and the way I find work.

I'm going to ne illustrating for my first paid gig for a children's book. I'm selling two logos to a production company. I've sold three tattoo designs and my wife and I will be having an art show soon.

Darkwing Duck

New shizz going down folks...

Yeah so been busy laugh out loud; in all seriousness not that busy I guess. Pretty much looking for work to do around the lovely towns of Utica and New Hartford with no luck haha but who cares right? Work will come, I will make good money and I will get shizz done!! Beotchessss!!!

Feeling a little crazy today (I had two Arbys beef sandwiches) so excuse me hyperactive writing and general spazzing of the keyboard ya heard?! Been working mad crazy on my graphic novel, making all the pages shine and sparkle and slap in the face amazing because tommorow we are heading to Wizard World Big Apple Comic Con!! Woot! There are about four small companies there as to which I will be having take a gander at my portfolio-ness and hopefull will like what they see a little bit; I'm hoping that one of them offers me some kind of gig, I don't care what it is really!! Anything will do, even if they don't pay me yet....anything's a step in the door!! So yeah that's been going on.

Wedding stuff pretty much done and what not, tuxes and dresses were the last puzzles to the pieces so everything's all good. Super pumped up about that!!!

Also been doing some random art stuff on my computer with PSCS3 which is a blast I must say,random wallpapers, book covers, head shots and stuff always a blast!! Looking forward to doing more stuff like that as well soon. So yeah, wish me luck tommorow, I made copies and staples them together with my business card as well so hopefully they ask for a copy because that means they are at least interested in me. Plus I mean it's NYC right?! Going with the fiancee and some buddies who are just as pumped as we are for this trip!! Until somehting new happens or I decide to write something more once again, this is the end of this post ahahah!!

Sometimes ya just....yeah?

I tell ya what folks, being self-employed is tough, tought when you have zero customers which means zero profit. Thus is what I am suffering from, I still work diligently at my comic "Masters of Fiction!" everyday now but ya know, it doesn't pay the bills yet. I'm looking for Illustration work or Writing work and it's really tough to find here in Utica, "The city, trying to be a city.." that's my quote, yup.

But you know what I mean if you live here, there's no real market for creative people here that I can find (if there is and I'm missing it, please someone give me a call) except for stuff that I just really don't have much interest in. Teaching art is great and noble and everything but I'm just not into it, I want to create things for clients and myself and make my dues that way.

I'm going to dabble in advertising and marketing for places maybe a little bit, I'm trying to anyways. Oh and I've found some great books for you guys to read most def for Illustrators and Writers; there's Everything you need to know to be a Freelance Illustrator and Guerrilla Marketing both available at Barnes and Noble, the first is in the Art section and the second is in Writing Reference.Also a really great series I just got into is Victorian Undead it basically is a Sherlock Holomes versus book the series is Sherlock Holmes continued adventures with Dr. Watson and pits them against all sorts of supernatural threats!! It's awesome and amazing writing, the art is amazing to the twentieth level man, check it out!! And a really great graphic novel I just read is I Kill Giants it's funny and sad and has great heart to it! It's an amazing read!!

Well until next time amigos, I'm off to draw more and create and what not, and figure out how to get paid for it all....

Corel Painter 11

Messing around with coloring in Corel Painter 11, fun stuff I have to say. I'm not all that familiar with Painter or any of its previous incarnations, so I'm trying to teach myself how to use this program. I figure the more programs I know how to use at least semi-efficiently the more likely I am to be hired somewhere. Also I've found that a lot of fully finished portfolio pieces are good to have (obviously).

This is a sketch I did of my Panda sleeping on the couch one night, I threw some inks on there and then digitally painted it up in Painter 11 like I said. Ha-Ha. Anywho also, on the seventh page pencils of "Masters of Fiction!". Been inking a lot of stuff lately check out my DeviantArt page stuff. Hope you guys enjoy.

"Look Up." as quoted from "The Quest for Dairy"

Well ladies and gents it appears to me that things are going to start looking up for yours truly and my lovely fiance. Recently I have been getting a lot of opportunities for my line of work, i.e., writing and illustrating. I had a meeting last night with the Utica Players about the play I have written and also about possible art related jobs too. It went quite well I have to say, all the committee members seemed quite responsive and enthused about the play and also about working with me. I should hear from them no later than mid January about everything. Unfortunately they are a volunterry organization so no moola is to be given for compensation but hey I need the exposure anyway, any publicity is good for me right now! Also I have been emailed back by Mr. Mike Bova of M3P Media and other such related news companies to have a meeting with him. A while back I had emailed him my resume, sample illustrations and a sample article and now he has emailed me saying that he would like to meet with me; it must be some sort of good news right?!

Also very recently, like five minutes ago from when I'm typing this I have submitted a sample article and bio and other such info to The Examiner another local newspaper organization to get a job writing articles on comic books, which would def rock to the core, am I right?! So hopefully all goes well and I start making some cash and getting known as what I am, a freelance Illustrator and Writer!! YEAH GO FOR THE GOLD!! Pumped up I have to say, also I am looking for a job for my little fiance in photography, she is a a great photographer and has a keen eye for composition and interesting shots. Her taste in material is impecable, she is currently getting together a new portfolio to show her latest findings. So if anyone needs a photographer let me know via email.

Wish us continued luck!

Mike D. Burke

Figuring out this stuff

I'm going to be totally and completely honest with you guys and cut the bull, life is fricken kicking my ass. It's not that it's bad, it's just hard to find work right now for me in my field in the area I live in. Utica seems to me such a starved place of creativity it's incredibly sad; it's like a city trying to be a real city and it just sucks. The only real jobs I can try to find around this area for writing and illustrating is maybe a job in one of the hundreds of news papers around here or the random graphics companies that aren't like big companies. Not that I don't like small companies but I mean they are just not doing the kind of stuff that I really want to be working at. Not to mention I'm constantly waiting on other peoples decisions for me to become accepted for what I do. And I totally get that that is how its been done for years and centuries and that it's all apart of the tradition and standards in the industry but I mean come on. How the hell long does it take to look at something and say 'yeah i like it, here's a shitty assignment no one else wants, but since your a rookie you get it.' I would be totally fine with that!!
Or like for some of these people I send queries or resumes or sample writing and illustrations to to just take a chance on me and let me fail or let me surprise them and succeed. I have no problem with these people expecting me to fail at an assignment, it doesn't bother me, I'm not afraid of failure. It will really suck at first but hell I'll get back up and learn from it and kick its ass next time around like a pro.
I just hate waiting on other people. I really want to start my own company in all honesty with some artist friends I know. My company though would be sort of an amalgam though; it would involve, publishing books of all kinds including comics and graphic novels, freelance illustration, freelance writing, full on production of feature films and sitcoms and webshows; including writing, directing, filming, casting, acting, all the stuff that goes into making a film happen. And yeah it will be really really really really tough at first but man it would be fun! I know it would, and I know it would take time and involve so much marketing and advertising that it would make me sick but it would damn be worth it I swear! I gotta do something or I'm going to blow up soon, and I feel ridiculous bursting what is basically me venting on this my blog that somebody reads I'm sure but yeah, it's where this happened.
So if your sick of waiting on other people to make shit happen that you believe in, let me know and let's help each other out seriously! I have to do something, I just don't know the steps to go about it, but rest assured I am going to figure this shit out.

Ever closer it looms....

Well folks here we are in October the month of ghouls and sexy girl costumes...scratch that. I do like that girls like to dress up in sexy superhero and monster costumes don't get me wrong but that's like all some so called "halloween" stores sell....I go to look for an awesome Flash costume, do they have one? No. Do they have some ridiculous thing like a sexy girl Flash costume? Yes. Damn turkeys....October should be about scary stories, fall, horror and Halloween themed illustrations, paintings, comics, shows, tv specials, and movies!!!! Oh and one all important selection that can accompany all of these and more, CANDY. Just saying.

So in anycase, that comic convention I was invited to is looming in on me. TripleCon Oct. 23rd at HCCC starting at 11:00am. I'm working on tons of illustrations for this thing and myself and I really want to be able to put together a "sketchbook" for sale at the con. I figure I will just print up one at this local print shop near me and then have an ordering list with me, to see who wants it, before I put tons of money down on it. The illustrations are all over the map, they're def gonna be fun and cool I have to say, so I hope somebody will want the book haha. Also i will be doing CON SKETCHES at TripleCon of your favorite anime, manga or comic book character, so long as I have some reference on them....Also heck if you want a caracature or portrait let me know and we can set something up!

I'm totally looking forward to TripleCon, I'm pumped!! Come out and see me and just be there and take in the feeling haha. It's a small convention but it's one of the close ones if you live in central NY....just saying.

Also here is a new illustration I did, some personal work and what not for some friends of mine I use to work with. Sort of a parting gift and stuff. Comment if you like it and stuff. Kudos to anyone who can figure out the symbology in the poem and the painting. It's kind of tough and I think you have to know me to get it I spose, but give it a go....

Mike D. Burke
www.ananami919.deviantart.com

Frankie Dingle

Well my dear supporters and what not I have wonderful news, good news even. My second "Frankie Dingle" book is completed, the manuscript and the Illustrations are all complete. I am just in need of finding an agent and a publisher is all. I have sent a query letter and two illustrations out to the Andrea Brown Lit company. I am expecting to hear from them sometime before November. So here's to crossing my fingers to that! Above is what the cover will look like.
There will be a total of seven illustrations, the cover and six introductary illustrations to the story that follows. I hope you will all support me as I attempt to find an agent and publish this book. As soon As I have more information all will follow! Thank you guys, tell your friends!!